Simon Cowell is doing "everything in his power" to get Cheryl to perform on ‘The X Factor’.
The ‘Only Human’ singer is set to make her pop comeback later this year and her old friend is keen for her to mark her return to music by singing on the talent show – on which she was a judge from 2008 to 2011 and again from 2014 to 2015 – so will do what it takes to get her to sign up for his programme, rather than make an appearance on rival show ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
A source told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre TV column: "There’s a massive race on for who can land Cheryl to perform her new material. All the big shows want her as they know her return to music will be one of the biggest music moments of the year and will draw in millions of viewers.
"Simon is doing everything in his power to make sure they box her off — it would be a massive embarrassment if Strictly got her with an offer she can’t refuse.
"He’s told her he will throw his weight behind her new album 100 per cent regardless, as they are mates, but he expects her to show her loyalty by choosing ‘X Factor’."
Cheryl returned to ‘The X Factor’ last year for the judge’s houses stage of the competition and was tipped to return to the panel again this year, but Simon will be joined by married couple Robbie Williams and Ayda Field, and Louis Tomlinson, the former One Direction bandmate of the ‘Fight for This Love’ singer’s ex-boyfriend, Liam Payne.
Instead, the 35-year-old singer – who has son Bear, 16 months, with Liam – will be a judge on Simon’s new BBC show ‘The Greatest Dancer’, alongside ‘Britain’s Got Talent’s Alesha Dixon and ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ professional Oti Mabuse.
Simon Cowell wants Cheryl on X Factor
